New York City is a place to visit anytime of the year. From the crisp chill in the air felt around the wintertime when the city light's up for the holidays, or even in the summertime with outdoor events on every corner - you’ll see that New York walks to the beat of its own drum and is unlike anywhere else in the world. With these helpful tips, you’ll master the art of “The City That Never Sleeps” in no time!

Arriving in New York - Public Transport is your best friendGet used to it. Whether you are arriving at one of the metro area’s three international airports or the main bus terminal (Port Authority of NY - aka Purgatory’s reincarnate on Earth), public transport will acclimate you to the city very quickly. Do as the locals do and use public transportation as much as possible because it will save you plenty of money over the length of your stay.

Buy the 7-day unlimited MetrocardGoing with public transport is the use of the city’s Metrocard to pay for all your transportation. Specifically, the subway is your best bet to access the entire city in the easiest way with lines that run anywhere you need to go. For $3.00 USD per ride, the charge is much cheaper than a taxi or Uber, but depending on the length of your stay, buy the unlimited weekly Metrocard pass for $31.00 USD. It pays for itself by using it more (i.e. if you use it twice per day for 7 days, your rides are only $2.21 USD each). In the grand scheme of things, it will save you substantially because you will be using the subway 4 + times per day.

Get a Citi Bike passDuring those warm months of the year, renting a Citi Bike is your best bet. You can escape the subway stations, lines, and train delays to get a breath of fresh air and some exercise by seeing many of the city’s main attractions by bike. For just $25 USD you can rent a 7-day pass for the Citi Bike. See the rest of the pricing here.

Get the perfect view over the city, but not at the Empire State BuildingThe iconic Empire State Building is a great place to visit in NYC, but it is not a budget-friendly option for those trying to see the city from above. The Top of the Rock (or the top of Rockefeller Center) is the perfect alternative to this. But instead of heading to the top of the building to the classic “Top of the Rock” floors, go to SixtyFive, a bar & cocktail lounge on the 65th floor of the building. You can get the same view of the entire city (including Central Park and the ESB) FOR FREE. SixtyFive has an outdoor terrace that you can venture out to get an even better view. It is only fair to get a drink while in the bar, which is highly overpriced but less than the $32 USD entrance fee to the official “Top of the Rock” attraction.

See the city’s best museums on a shoestringThe American Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art are recognized as two of the best museums in the US, as they tell the history of people and animals from around the world and depict some of the most renowned art of the modern era. As many tourists enter the museums, they are immediately ushered to the lines where others are paying for entry. Each museum advises a fee of $25 USD per guest, but those are actually suggested prices. The museum does not officially charge anyone for entry - it is just a suggested donation to upkeep the building. So for a more budget-conscious traveler, you can see these museums for any price that you see fit (I recommend paying anywhere from $15-$20 if you can afford it). They are beautifully done and are easy places to spend at least a half-day while in NYC.

Learn about the strength of New York City after 9/11A new attraction to NYC, Lower Manhattan holds the new Freedom Tower and 9/11 Memorial that has taken the place of the former World Trade Center Towers that stood before the attacks on the country in 2001. The 9/11 Memorial’s two reflecting pools are free to visit and there is also the National 9/11 Museum that features many of the artifacts from attack. The museum issues free tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis every Tuesday starting at 4pm. The tickets are in limited supply, so get there early and save yourself $24 USD!

See the city’s attractions at a discountIf you’re still adamant about seeing many of the city’s more expensive attractions, buy the CityPASS or the New York Pass to save some serious change and skip the lines! The CityPASS is $114 USD but includes access to 6 major attractions within NYC - the Empire State Building Experience, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck or Guggenheim Museum, the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island or a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum or the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. the CityPASS is valid for 9 days after purchase and can be used at any time. Conversely, the New York Pass provides access to over 80 over the city’s major attractions based upon the length of the pass that you buy. Note: search Groupon for a discount on the New York Pass price! For an additional comparison between the two, check out this resource.

Image from statueoflibertytickets.com

Get that iconic Statue of Liberty picture for freeThe history of the US is embodied through a visit to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. Countless immigrants entered the US in the 19th and 20th centuries through the island and are likely recognized on the monuments surrounding the attraction. For a tight-budgeted traveler, you can save some money by hopping on the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride past the Statue of Liberty. The caveat is not exploring the island first hand, but you do get a close glimpse of the monument provided by the French and the buildings on Ellis Island (plus there is a bar on the Staten Island Ferry...maybe the perfect spot for an afternoon drink?)

The High LineLooking for that outdoor activity to soak in some rays during the summertime? Head to the High Line in the Meatpacking/Soho Districts. Free of charge, the walkway was a former freight train line that has changed into a public park. It’s a great place to marvel at the surrounding skyscrapers and do as the locals do. The area is a popular place for a morning or late afternoon workout, and don’t forget to stop by the vendors along the pathway selling ice cream, crepes, empanadas, and dumplings.

Kayak and stargaze for freeAt Pier 26 on the West Side in Tribeca, take a free 20-minute kayak ride from May through October on the weekends and holidays. In June and July, the attraction extends its free hours to Monday through Friday from 5:00-6:30pm. Or stop by The High Line, where the Amateur Astronomers Association hosts free sessions to stargaze on Tuesday nights from April through October.

Score cheap Broadway tickets, every day.The TKTS Booth is the best way to find a cheap Broadway ticket. Visit one of three locations for same-day, discounted tickets to Broadway shows. Some Broadway frequent-fliers recommend hitting the Times Square booth in the late afternoon. BUT if you want to see a show on or off Broadway for a cheaper price but can’t stomach the idea of waiting in line for up to an hour at the TKTS counter? No worries. If you’re able to survive the anxiety of not having a ticket until the very last minute, head to the show around 30 minutes early and see if you can grab a ticket at the ticketing booth. As long as it is not an overly popular show, you’re good to go and will get a discounted seat.

Stroll the Brooklyn Bridge and visit SmorgasburgUnfortunately Smorgasburg is only available between May and October, but take a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge any time of the year! It is frequently missed by tourists for the more glamorous options throughout the city, but the historic bridge provides a great panoramic view of Manhattan. If you’re lucky to visit Smorgasburg, indulge in the foods of vendors selling every ethnic and local delicacy that you can imagine.​Food on Foot ToursSee some of the best eats in NYC with Food on Foot Tours. With several different tours for every craving, each tour lasts at least 3.5 hours and gives a great look at the city’s amazing staple treats. Prices for the tours vary based upon seasonality and availability, but check it out for a great taste of NY! (Minimum requirement is a Metrocard to ensure easy access to the subways while on the tours).

Get lost in Central ParkNo one should miss the 843 acre oasis of New York. It’s a perfect spot for a workout or picnic on a sunny afternoon. Even in the winter, ice skate at the rink for a nominal fee and avoid some of the hustle and bustle of Rockefeller Center’s never-ending crowds. Take a ride in a rowboat during the summer for just $12 USD total - a great escape from the world with some friends or loved ones. Just don’t miss Central Park! It’s worth every minute of exploration.

Free Tours GaloreThere are many ways to get a great feel of the city on a tour experience for free. FreeToursByFoot is one of the most well-known companies for the job, and all you have to do it make sure to tip your guide! With tours in nearly every major neighborhood of NYC, they have something for every kind of traveler. Check out their website and book your tour today!

Stay outside the box (or Manhattan) Thanks to New York's comprehensive public transportation system, there's no need to pay an absurd price for a Midtown hotel when you can stay in one of the other boroughs - or in New Jersey - and take the train wherever you want to go. Even after factoring in the cost of extra transportation, the savings can be significant.